Overlimit Skill Holder
Book 4: Chapter 34

** Queen of the Night **

Abba, who holds the title of Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Bureau, not only was responding to foreign dignitaries’ visits, but also prepared drafts when the director made proposals to the Emperor. He was doing the work of an office clerk.

The reason he was summoned by the Emperor late at night must be regarding the documents he had submitted, which summarizes information about the Kruvan Holy Kingdom.

Although he was onboard a warship, the area for military personnel and the area for visitors were clearly distinguished.

Abba was walking through a gently curving corridor with soft carpet spread on the floor and delicately crafted handrails in the “Guest Area.”

As he approached his destination, Abba pulled out the long stick in his mouth and pocketed it.

When the soldier posted outside noticed Abba’s visit, he saluted and opened the door. The door led to the Emperor’s dedicated conference room. And inside, the Emperor, the Emperor’s secretary, the director of foreign affairs, the chief of military affairs, and quite unusually, the director of the labyrinth management were present.

「Abba, the documents you have put together are concise.」

「Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for your words.」

「However… I can’t figure out how much power the “Former Holy King” holds.」

「I apologize.」Abba hung his head down.

「I am not blaming you. It’s better than including your biased deduction. How do you see this, director?」

「I agree. If Abba’s analysis is correct, I think it would be better to treat him as if he were the current Holy King, rather than as a “former”.」

The director of the Foreign Affairs Bureau, who has advanced in age, expressly included “If Abba’s analysis is correct”.

It was a magic word to shift the blame onto Abba if something goes wrong.

「…………」

But of course, such an occurrence is not new, so Abba stayed silent.

「In other words, is Kruvan so interested in our country that they’re sending the current Holy King? What do you think, Abba?」

「Yes, sir. There are many mysteries surrounding the change of the throne in the Holy Kingdom, the expulsion and execution of high-ranking nobles, and a huge monster appearing in the center of the Holy City. As far as things can be confirmed, the Holy King stepped down to bear responsibility for the failure. No traces of a coup d’etat can be confirmed. The Holy Queen, the daughter of the predecessor Holy King, is on good terms with the predecessor Holy King and has no circumstances to drive him to another country. As such, we can conclude that they hold a great interest.」

「Hmm……」

The Emperor flipped through the pages of the report. Abba just stood still, and the directors who were in their seats simply stared at him. Only the secretary, who was behind the Emperor, was enthusiastically writing down something.

「The Holy King’s Knights Order who are accompanying the Holy King, are they strong?」the Emperor asked.

The director of foreign affairs nodded in consent, so Abba opened his mouth.

「Yes, sir. The knights were nurtured under the predecessor Holy King, whose name is said to instill courage and bravery in his men.」

「How do they compare to our army?」

「They’re incomparable!」

The chief of military affairs, who had been silent until then, voiced out.

「Our army is armed with magic gears! Even with skills, they won’t be able to compete with us!」

Since he is the head of the military, he naturally looked at his men favorably.

「How do you see it, Abba?」the Emperor asked.

「…I am not a military expert.」

「Abba.」

The Emperor, who was smiling slightly until then, suddenly erased that smile and focused intently on Abba. Abba nervously swallowed his saliva.

「I wouldn’t say they are mighty warriors, but of course they would have higher abilities than a normal soldier. But I think the more important concern would be the cavalry numbering 10, 000. This cavalry will move under the Holy King’s Knights Order. However, their forte is at group battles rather than individual strengths. Even our Imperial Army cannot win in direct combat against 10,000 people.」

「That… sounds plausible. What do you think, chief of military affairs?」

「…………」

Abba sunk back when the chief of military affairs glared daggers at him. If he doesn’t answer honestly, the Emperor glares at him, and if he is honest, the chief of military affairs glares at him.

「Our army has the sky! If we fight from the sky, the Holy Kingdom’s army is nothing to be scared of!」

The Holy Kingdom is providing reinforcements, not an enemy. But Abba can’t really refute the chief from his position as “deputy” director.

「I apologize.」

Once again, he had no choice but to hang his head.

「Chief of military affairs, the enemy is not Kruvan.」

「Y-Yes. Excuse me, Your Majesty. I just wish for the Empire’s prosperity…」

「Good.」

「I admire Your Majesty’s eye for discernment.」

A meaningless follow-up can be heard from the chief as he lowered his head.

(What the hell is all this?…We can’t really afford to be having such a silly conversation.)

Abba thought to himself.

「Abba, raise your head. You’re wondering why we are talking about this, aren’t you?」

「Yes.–N-No, that’s not what I mean.」

Abba hurriedly waved both hands as he unintentionally agreed.

「Everything you and the chief of military affairs said was correct.」

「Huh? …AH!」

Abba starred in puzzlement at first, but then he was able to read the Emperor’s thoughts.

「The Holy Kingdom’s real purpose is our airships, I see. Even if their army is strong on land, our army rules the skies. If so, the Holy Kingdom wants our airship to stand out from other countries – they are almost desperate for it.」

「That’s right. The reason why they are actively accepting refugees is so we would be obliged to give them as many of our airships as possible, and perhaps even attract our airship engineers.」

It sounds so simple, but all of the Holy Kingdom’s actions thus far line up perfectly with that narrative.

(His Majesty is amazing. He is often compared to his predecessors who developed the nation, and is often spoken ill of — but his real power is being able to rouse people. Exactly the sort of Emperor the Empire needs in these times of crisis.)

Abba was inwardly astonished.

「—I understand what is on Your Majesty’s mind. Tomorrow’s talks will focus on how to keep the postwar demands of the Holy Kingdom away from the airship, correct?」

「It’s great that you caught on quickly. But I am ready to hand over a few airships.」

「What do you mean, sir?」

「It means our technology must evolve. The release of the “Labyrinth of 9 Emotions”. And that red crack in the sky… Don’t you think there is something else slumbering within the depths of the labyrinths other than airship technology? That is why the labyrinth director has also been summoned here.」

「!」

「We can always build as many airships as we like. That is, if we can steadily get our hands on the next generation of technology…」

Suddenly, the Emperor seemed even greater a personage in Abba’s eyes.

While deep in a crisis which can erase the Empire’s existence, the Emperor was aiming for its next advancement.

(He will either become the Emperor of a ruined nation or a once in a generation hero who will save the nation.)

Realizing that his own destiny was also tied to this old man, uncontrollable shivers ran down Abba’s body.

It will not be the Emperor himself who realizes his ideals, but his closest aides, which includes Abba.

Abba finally noticed the heavy burden placed on him. A passionate flame was burning within Abba – a flame so hot and ferocious which surprised even himself – as he readied himself for tomorrow’s conference with the Holy Kingdom.